Adult Beverages on the Disney Cruise Line

I take my role as a blogger very seriously. When I find out good information, tips and tricks, or other good to know items, I must share them with you. It's my duty, as you are my lovely and faithful readers!

In the spirit of this, I have taken it upon myself to showcase some of the most delicious adult beverages on the Disney Cruise Line. Because I'm a giver like that.

:) I love my job!

Here are some of the drinks from the last few cruises; some were drink of the day offerings, and others were special orders at the bar. We also took part in a mixology class and got to experience how to make mixed drinks, shots and specialty drinks such as Bellinis. YUM!

As you scroll through the pictures, just imagine you're on one of the four DCL ships, enjoying your beverage as the world rolls by. Calgon - take me away!

 

 

 

 

Have a magical day!

Cruising Solo on the Disney Cruise Line - My Top 5 Tips

In early September, I embarked on my first truly solo cruise on Disney Cruise Line.  I say "truly solo" because even though I have stayed in a room by myself before, I booked the trip myself, and didn't have any friends or family book the cruise along with me.

I was honestly a bit anxious as the cruise date was nearing.  Don't get me wrong - I KNEW I would have a great time, and that it would be the same uber-relaxing, fabulous DCL vacation, with or without family and friends. But I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous about being solo on the ship.  I don't know why I felt differently about that vs Disney World, but there you go.

However, I had a WONDERFUL time (more details to come on the Trip Report!) and wanted to share some ideas / tips that made cruising solo really special.

1) Connect with a cruise meet and/or Facebook group before you leave.
I was privileged to meet a FABULOUS group of ladies before our cruise, on a Facebook group we set up. It was wonderful talking to each other and getting excited in the months and weeks before the cruise.  I was also able to meet my new friend, Caletta, and we ate together each night which was a lot of fun. It was nice to have solo time, but then also know I was meeting a friend for dinner at night. We also had a quick meet-up on embarkation day, so we could put names and faces together.  This was super fun because not only did I get to meet these great ladies and their families, but it was nice to run into people on those 3 days that I knew and have someone to say hi to, chat with, etc.

2) Take some time to do "special" experiences.
Visit the spa.  Heck, LIVE in the spa. You're on your own schedule, so there's no one to give you grief if you spend 4-5 hours a day in the Rainforest Room. Or take a ship tour, or a beverage tasting, or any of the myriad of things available for adults on the cruise. If you're bored, it's your own fault!

3) Speaking of experiences...sign up for a Mixology or Wine / Beer tasting class.
If you like a cocktail or glass of beer, be sure and sign up for one of the many mixology / tasting classes they have on the ship during your cruise.  Your daily Navigator will have more information about where to sign up - make sure to check it out the first day, as space is limited!  I've done both the mixology and wine tastings and both were a lot of fun.  There's also usually a fun group of people at these classes, too, and the nature of the class often leads to conversations and interactions with your fellow passengers.

4) Relax like it's your job.
Let's be honest - one of the primary joys of cruising is doing NOTHING. As in, grabbing your book, an umbrella beverage and taking up residence on a deck chair.  Or falling asleep on said deck chair.  Ahem. Not that I did any such thing, of course.  But seriously - RELAX!  Enjoy it.  Kick back.  Have NO schedule. Sleep until noon if you want.  Live a life of a lady (or gentleman) of leisure, even for a few days. 

5) Chat with the cast members.
One of my favorite memories of this cruise is sitting at Pink (one of the cocktail lounges on the Dream) after dinner one night, and having a fun hour+ chat with Ricardo, the bartender.  Assuming your chatting with them isn't taking them away from their job duties, most cast members are more than willing to stop and speak with you for at least a few minutes.  Not only did I have a fun night, I now have a DCL friend who I will hopefully see again in January.

If you've cruised solo, what are your favorite things about cruising by yourself?

Have a magical day!

Pre-Trip Report: Saturday, September 6th - Castaway Cay!

Hello, readers!  And welcome to anyone who's new to Most Delightful Place!  There are TONS of you who have entered the giveaway (thank you!) and I hope you find other items and articles as you peruse the blog.

Today is my FAVORITE day of any cruise.  It's Castaway Cay day, folks!

Castaway Cay is Disney's private island in the Bahamas and is just stunning.  Crystal clear waters, a wonderful beach, water sports....what more could you want?

One thing I am most looking forward to is docking the boat itself at CC.  I have an aft (back of the boat) cabin and since Disney "backs in" the boat to the dock, if you have an aft room you have a perfect vantage point for seeing CC.  You typically arrive at CC around 7:30AM (disembarking starts about 8:30AM) and so it's super relaxing to sit on your balcony, have a cup of coffee and watch the boat arrive.  Pure bliss.

I did a blog post a few months ago all about Castaway Cay, with some fun pictures - - you can check that out at the link HERE.

The plan for today is "no plan at all!" I will probably eat breakfast and be off the boat about 10AM and head to Serenity Bay, the adults-only area of Castaway Cay.  It's incredibly beautiful, peaceful and a great way to spend the day.  My favorite thing to do is take one of the beach chairs into the water and sit and read my book as the clear blue water of the Bahamas laps around my ankles.

On Castaway Cay there are lots of excursions to choose from, such as catch-and-release fishing, snorkeling, parasailing, etc.  I plan on renting a tube to use in the water, but other than that, I haven't planned any excursions for this day.  I might end up doing a bike rental, as I did that back in February and really enjoyed it - it was a nice way to see the island AND get some exercise at the same time!

After a day basking in the gorgeous sun, I'll head back to the boat for our last dinner.  Since I have the later dining rotation, I'll be able to sit on my balcony and watch as we leave Castaway Cay.  I plan on ordering the cheese platter and a glass of wine from room service, and enjoying some time out on the deck before I get ready for dinner. Perhaps I'll also catch a movie, or go to one of the lounges with some of my other cruise friends.

Later that night comes the worst part of cruising - packing to go home! :( I'll get my things together so I am ready for breakfast the next morning and to walk off the ship.  Since I have the later dining rotation I'll have a later breakfast as well and should be off the ship by about 9:30AM at the latest. Then it's off to Orlando International airport and back home!

Be sure to follow me here and on social media as I will be posting live pictures and videos of my cruise on the Disney Dream.

In the meantime, have a magical day!

Pre-Trip Report: Friday, September 5th - First Full Day on the Disney Dream Part One

Happy Wednesday to you all!

The next day of the Pre-Trip Report covers my first full day on the Disney Dream - Friday, September 5th.  Since this is a shorter cruise (3 nights), I want to make sure I take the time to relax, while still exploring the ship and what it has to offer.  The boat docks in Nassau this day, but since I have been to Nassau quite a few times, I plan on just staying on the boat.

I plan on getting up in the morning, doing a walk around Deck 4 and then getting some breakfast at Cabanas.  I don't plan on setting an alarm but I naturally wake up around 7:30AM.  I like to get in at least a bit of walking on the cruise line (all the yummy food catches up with you!) and so each morning I plan on doing some laps around Deck 4.  Three times around the deck is a mile, and it's a nice way to start the day.

For breakfast at Cabanas I will have what I always have, my standard DCL breakfast: A Mickey waffle with strawberries and Eggs Benedict.  YUM!  I love both those items and for whatever reason don't have them a lot at home, so it's definitely a vacation treat.

After breakfast, I will go back to my stateroom, put on my suit and head up to the deck for some Kindle reading and relaxing.  One of my absolute favorites parts of a Disney Cruise is hanging out on deck, reading and watching the world go by.

After lunch, I plan on hitting up the Senses Spa for a few hours.  I bought a day pass to the Rainforest Room at Senses Spa; it's INCREDIBLE, and they only sell so many passes during a cruise.  You can reserve yours before the cruise leaves or at the spa but be sure and do it your first day. For the daily fee (it was $16), you get exclusive use of saunas, special showers (with varying temperatures and even scents!), these awesome heated loungers and special hot tubs. If you think you'll use the Rainforest Room a lot on your stay, you can also buy a package deal for the length of your cruise.  The last time I did this, it was $99 per couple; that was on a 4 night cruise, so the prices for other lengths could be different.  And keep in mind - a couple doesn't have to be you and a spouse / significant other!  You can sign up with your mom, a girlfriend, etc.

After a really difficult morning / early afternoon of kicking back and hanging out, I'll probably consult the daily Navigator (the schedule of all events on the ship) and see if there are any fun things I want to attend.  Or, I might hit up the Buena Vista Theatre and see a movie.  Lots of options!

Coming up next update: Part Two of the Nassau day ~ in the meantime have a Magical Day!

Pre-Trip Report: Thursday, September 4th - Heading to the Disney Dream! Part 2

As promised, here is Part 2 of the next day of the Pre-Trip Report - the arrival at Port Canaveral for the cruise on the Disney Dream!

As I mentioned in Part 1, I had initially decided to rent a car and drive down to the Port.  However, after thinking about it further I decided to hire a car service to take my friend and I to the Port. Disney has a transportation option that for $35 per person will take you to the port.  However, you don't have much control over when you leave and I like to be at the port by 10:30-11:00 AM.  The last time I took their transport we got to the port about 1:45 which was a bit late for my tastes.

I am also going to re-evaluate my plan to visit MK that morning of the cruise.  Since EMH (Extra Magic Hours) are at the Magic Kingdom on Thursday, it opens at 8AM for resort guests.  This means the buses will be starting about 7AM which makes it easy to get to Kona Cafe; I'll just take a bus to MK and ride the monorail over to the Polynesian for my 7:30AM breakfast.  However, I don't know if I will have time to go into MK as I'll need to ride a bus back to Coronado Springs and be there by 9:30 to meet the town car for the drive to the port.  I *might* be able to bounce in for a quick 15-20 minutes and soak up some Main Street USA atmosphere, which will work for me!

The town car will pick me up, and then we'll go to Art of Animation to pick up my friend and her daughter.  Then onward to Port Canaveral!  It's about a 45-60 minute drive from Disney World.

At Port Canaveral, you drop off your bags before you go in with the porters (the bags will be delivered later to your room, so don't forget the baggage tags you get in your cruise packet!) and then go through a small security (much like you would at the airport, except you don't need to remove your shoes or coats). You then get in line to check in; if you are a Castaway Club member (you've sailed on DCL before), or are sailing Concierge, you have special check in areas.  You then turn in your signed cruise contract (that you printed off at home once you completed your online cruise check in), show them your passport or other documentation, get your Key to the World card, your lanyard (if you've sailed before) and then you're ready to go! In the past, this process takes anywhere from 5-20 minutes, depending on the length of the line.

You also get a boarding group number; when the ship starts boarding about 11:30AM, they call boarding groups 1, 2, 3, etc so there isn't a mad rush to the boat, all at once.  I am hoping to get a fairly high boarding group number, so I can have as much time as possible on that great ship!

When my boarding group is called, I will walk through these gorgeous, gleaming ears....and be ready to start the cruise!  WOO HOO!

I hope to be on the ship itself by about Noon.  Caletta, her daughter and I will grab lunch, and then I imagine we'll go our separate ways until dinner time.  We have separate staterooms, but we've chosen to link our reservations together so we can dine together in the evening.  We have the second seating, at 8:15PM. I prefer the later seating, as it's nice to not rush after excursions or a day at the pool to get ready for dinner.

You have access to your stateroom about 1:30PM, although your luggage won't arrive until closer to 4:30PM.

I don't have many set-in-stone plans for that first day, but I will for sure:

* Check out my stateroom at 1:30PM and put my custom magnets on the stateroom door.  I have ordered a few from Etsy and also made some - it's a fun way to personalize your door (and also helps locate your room the first few times you go to it!).  Just be sure you only use magnets; any tape or other adhesives is a no-no, and you'll be paying for them to clean and paint the door!

* Change into my swimsuit, and spend some time at the pool. Make sure that you pack your suit, medications or whatever else you'll want before you get your luggage in a day bag.

* Register for a mixology class. Caletta and I plan on going to at least one of the mixology classes on board and you register once you're on the ship, so I'll do that in the afternoon at some point.  I have done the wine tasting before - I would like to try the martini tasting this time!

* Attend the Sail Away party. This is a party of the top decks of the ship where there's music and dancing with the characters and cruise staff while the boat sails away from port. It's fun and a great way to kick off the cruise!

Other than that, I am just going to relax and see where the day takes me!

What are your favorite parts about embarkation day on Disney Cruise Line?

Pre-Trip Report: Thursday, September 4th - Heading to the Disney Dream! Part 1

Hi, all!  Hope everyone had a wonderful & safe 4th of July weekend.

I am going to break up the Pre-Trip Report for September 4th into two parts; Part 1, which is the morning of the cruise and Part 2, where I'll talk about my plans for the cruise itself and my first day on board.  I started to write this and it was becoming a MONSTER post since this is such a busy day, so you get two posts for the price of one.  Bonus!

Today is September 4th - the day that I leave on the Disney Dream!  WOO HOO!  I cannot wait.  I just LOVE to cruise.

Hello, gorgeous!

But in the morning, there is still plenty of time to see and do before heading to Port Canaveral.

I am picking up my friend Caletta from Art of Animation Resort at about 9:30AM, so I have a few hours free in the morning.  I am renting a car to get to the port, so I figured, why not go somewhere in the AM and catch a yummy breakfast before heading to Port Canaveral?

And because I like to cram as much Disney into a day as humanely possible, how about an hour or so at a park, too?!

Last week, I asked on Facebook where you'd make a breakfast reservation on property and got a few resounding votes for Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Resort.  I whole-heartedly agree with this, so I made myself a 7:30AM breakfast reservation for Kona Cafe on the 4th.  Bring on the Tonga Toast!!

I am going to drive over to the Polynesian, enjoy my breakfast and then take the monorail into Magic Kingdom.  There are Extra Magic Hours at Magic Kingdom that morning, starting at 8AM, so I figure I'll be able to spend an hour or so there before it's time to head out.  I'll ride the monorail back to the Polynesian and then head out to Art of Animation to pick up Caletta and her daughter.  Then it's onto Port Canaveral and the Disney Dream!

Maybe I'll ride a Magic Carpet!

Next on Part 2: My plans for my first day on the Disney Dream!

Pre-Trip Report: Today I Am Dreaming Of....

On today's Pre-Trip installment, I am dreaming of the Disney Dream.

Included in your cruise fare is room service - unless you're ordering alcohol or soda delivered to your room, everything on the room service menu is free!  Yes, free as in no cost. There's a decent variety of choices including sandwiches, snacks and this cheese and cracker platter.  One of my favorite cruise rituals is to order this platter during sail away, while I sit on my deck and watch us leave Port Canaveral.

I also sometimes get room service when I want a little pre-dinner snack. I prefer the later dining at 8:15PM; it's nice to not have to rush back to your stateroom to get ready for dinner after your day of laying out, swimming, port excursions, etc.  I often go back to my stateroom around 6:30 to get ready for that evening's meal and if I need a little something in my tummy to tide me over, one of the room service items is a great option.

Only 86 days until I am back on the Dream!  I cannot wait!

What is one of your vacation rituals?  Share here in the comments, or on Facebook!  (and don't forget to put in your e-mail address, so you can receive blog updates right to your inbox.)

Coming Attractions - Labor Day Free Dining + 3 Night Disney Cruise!

Good day, everyone!  Hope you had a nice weekend and are gearing up for a good week.  It's the first week of June - can you believe it?!  I feel like I say that every month, but it's true that time does fly.

Last week, I finalized plans for a fall trip, the week of Labor Day - August 31st to September 7th.  I have wanted to go during this week, as I've heard many times that Disney is VERY quiet this part of the year due to school just starting.

Then Free Dining was announced, and my travel dates aligned with it - awesome!!  I have done the dining plan but haven't had Free Dining yet, so I am excited to go during that promotion.

After 5 days and 4 nights at the Coronado Springs resort, I am going to head to a 3 night cruise on the Disney Dream!  I haven't sailed the Dream since 2011 and am very excited to once again sail on this awesome ship.

I have a few plans & goals for this trip, and things that I'll report on in future blogs:

1) One of my goals is to stay at every Disney hotel / resort.  I am checking another off the list with this stay at Coronado Springs.  I have also decided to stay in a Business level room at the resort.  This is very similar to the Club Level that you'd find at the Deluxe Resorts.  Coronado Springs hosts a fair amount of conventions every year, and so they have a business section; these rooms are closest to the main building and convention meeting areas, and you have access to a Club Level-like lounge in the morning and evening for breakfasts, snacks, etc.  This gives you the Club Level experience but without the higher price point of the CL at the Deluxe resorts.

2) I am going to use the Free Dining credits +  Club Level food offerings exclusively and not pay out of pocket for any food for these four nights.  With the Dining Plan, I will get 1 snack credit, 1 counter service credit and 1 table service credit for each night of my stay.  This will give me a total of 4 of each of the credits to use over the course of my stay.  Counter service is like fast food, but that shouldn't scare you - there are many awesome counter service meals on property.  Table service is a sit-down restaurant, where you have a server who brings you the food.  There are also TONS of options that satisfy the snack credit - cookies, pieces of fruit, 20 oz sodas, bags of candy, etc.

On occasion, even with the dining plan you can choose to pay out of pocket for a meal each day, a snack, etc but you certainly don't have to with a little forethought and planning ahead.  Because I want to give you all the best information about Free Dining, I will be documenting what food I choose, and where.  I won't spend any additional money out of pocket, except for tips.  This is very important to know, as tips for your servers at the Table Service restaurants are not included on the Dining plans.

3) Speaking of dining - I am going to continue on my quest to try each of the Table Service dining locations at Walt Disney World.  Another goal of mine is to try each of the Table Service dining options at the parks and resorts, as I want to be able to report back to you all with pictures, my opinions, tips, etc.  I have a list of those that I have not yet tried, and will use this as my guide when making my dining reservations.

4) I have booked a 5E stateroom on the Disney Dream, which is a balcony room with a very roomy verandah. I am SUPER excited about this room, as those staterooms go fast and are hard to come by.  The verandahs on the 5E rooms are larger, as they're at the back (aft) of the ship.  I can't wait to wake up and have coffee there each morning!

I also am going to do a "Pre-Trip" report for you as well, where I fill you in on my plans during my days at WDW and on the Dream.  I hope you'll join me and provide me with your ideas and suggestions, as well!

So stay tuned as I plan this Free Dining + return to the Disney Dream vacation!

Have a magical day!

Touring the Vibe on the Disney Dream

During the Agent Education program I attended in March, we were bussed over to Port Canaveral to tour the Disney Dream.  I have been on the Dream but it had been a few years, and as I didn't have any teenagers with me, didn't get to see the teen clubs.

And holy crap, people.  It *almost* made me want to be 14 years old again.

The Vibe is a teen-exclusive club on the Disney Dream, and is for cruisers ages 14-17.   There are activities and events especially for them, their own lounge and smoothie bar as well as their own SUPER cool pool.

Don't be surprised if you hardly ever see your teens while on the Disney Dream - they'll be too busy having fun and hanging out with their new friends!

Check out the short video that I put together of some images from Vibe!